Premier's Journal
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The Search for the Centaur
23 November 2009
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and I have announced $4 million in funding for the search for the Centaur.
We expect the search will start in mid December by Defence Maritime Services' vessel, the Seahorse Spirit.
The sinking of the Centaur, a hospital ship during World War II, is one of Australia's worst maritime disasters and it's a major part of Queensland's military and social history.
This search is very good news for the many people who lost loved ones, friends and family in the sinking of the Centaur in May 1943.
And if we can find this ship it will bring peace to those people, it will allow us to appropriately mark the site with a memorial and also allow us to protect the site from commercial and other inappropriate activities over time.
Greener, cleaner, cheaper technology
23 November 2009
Townsville is now home to a cutting edge, world-class algal bio-fuel research and development facility, situated at James Cook University.
This technology gives us the chance to recycle CO2, reducing carbon emissions, while producing 14,000 litres of oil from algae.
It's great news for regional Queensland and we can feel very proud of the quality of research that’s happening in Townsville.
Not only does this put Townsville on the international green technology map, but shows the Smart State taking action to prevent climate change.
Sitting here in the backyard of the Great Barrier Reef, we need to take our fragile environment seriously and this facility provides protection and a potential solution to carbon abatement.
Population growth
20 November 2009
Our population continues to grow in record numbers with more than 100,000 new residents calling Queensland home every year, putting particular pressure on South East Queensland (SEQ).
We can't close down the state borders and we can't dictate how many babies people have.
But we can try and spread the growth more evenly around the state and support regional prosperity at the same time.
That's why this week I announced we are looking at new ways to encourage people to settle in regional areas.
A proposed $3000 boost to the first homeowners grant for those settling outside SEQ is among a raft of initiatives the government is investigating as we look at ways to manage growth.
Wage rise for Queensland teachers
12 November 2009
Teachers are at the forefront of improving education for our kids and that's why the state government has brokered a billion dollar boost for teachers across Queensland.
We have taken the latest step in modernising and reforming our education system by reaching an agreement with the Queensland Teachers' Union to boost all teachers' pay by 12.5 per cent over three years.
This means graduate teachers will be the highest paid in the country by 2011, receiving just under $57,000 in their first year of teaching. It means higher wages for new teachers, experienced classroom teachers and principals.
The agreement is consistent with our need for a public sector wage restraint, but provides some prudent additional investment at targeted points in the career structure.
I'm committed to improving the state's education system, and this deal delivers a system that lets us recruit, reward and retain the best people to teach our kids and support our parents and schools across the state.
Delivering an open and accountable Queensland
12 November 2009
We're leading the nation with our integrity and accountability reform drive.
Sweeping reforms I announced this week mean Queensland will be the most open and accountable system of government in Australia.
The reforms include Australia's first ever ban on success fees for third party lobbyists, expanding and improving the independence of the Integrity Commissioner, expanding the jurisdiction of the CMC to cover Government Owned Corporations and overhauling political donations with the implementation of a $1,000 cap by the middle of next year if the Commonwealth doesn't act.
We'll also implement a live online people's Question Time so that Queenslanders can ask myself and other ministers questions about the issues that matter to them.
We're leading the way and I'm committed to ensuring we stay ahead of the pack on this important issue.
Climate Change
6 November 2009
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Tony Blair introduces Anna Bligh's Climate Conference.
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Climate change is the biggest issue facing the world today and as a state, Queensland is among one of the world's highest polluters. Because of our historic reliance on fossil fuels and our sensitive environment, we're also the state with the most to lose from the impacts of global warming. But, there are many simple ways that we can make a difference and reduce our carbon footprint – and the easiest way is to use less power. Simply turning off the lights as you leave the room, or choosing to catch public transport instead of driving to work, all make a difference.
Queenslanders have already taken up the challenge to become cleaner and greener – and that was clearly demonstrated in our recent 'Big Switch' campaign. We gave away 1 million energy-efficient light bulbs to Queenslanders right around the state, saving a massive $11 million dollars on our power bills and 72 000 tonnes in carbon emissions. Similarly, through our Climate Smart Homes program more than 105 000 Queenslanders have had energy-efficient upgrades undertaken in their homes.
This week, I hosted the Climate Conference which brought together some of the world's best experts on climate change to talk about ways government and business can work together to tackle climate change. Former UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, addressed the conference from overseas.
Asset sales: Myth versus fact
30 October 2009
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Premier Anna Bligh discusses the economic strategy for a stronger Queensland.
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There a lot of myths surrounding the Government's plan to sell five commercial businesses and I want Queenslanders to be armed with the facts.
I understand there are genuine concerns. I've been there myself, having opposed the Qantas sale in the early 1990s.
But having seen Qantas grow to become one of the world's top airlines, employing thousands of Australians, I can now say I got it wrong.
And my vision for the commercial businesses we are selling is for them to grow too.
This week, we began a comprehensive information program providing the facts to Queenslanders about our proposal.
Keeping these commercial business going over the next five years will cost Queenslanders $12 billion. That's $12 billion spent on new coal trains and new wharves that can't be spent on roads, schools and hospital and better public transport.
There's a lot of misinformation around and I want people to be armed with the facts.
New Health and Medical Research Centre for Queensland
22 October 2009
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WRI Chairman Martin Albrecht, Premier Anna Bligh and Professor Julie Campbell at today's opening.
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Premier Anna Bligh inspects the Wesley Research Institute's new 'Bod Pod' which calculates body fat and muscle mass.
Today I opened the new $20 million Health and Medical Research Centre at the Wesley Research Institute at Auchenflower.
The institute already has a world-class reputation for outstanding medical research, but with this new facility Queensland takes another leap forward in making our state the Smart State of Australia.
Scientists and clinicians here at this new centre will be focused on preventative health, cancer, heart disease, diabetes and neurology, as well as lifestyle issues such as obesity.
I congratulate the Wesley on their outstanding work to date, and I know that this new facility will give them the capacity to take the next step up in world-class research.
We want to make Queenslanders the healthiest people in Australia, and this investment is a prime example of my government's commitment.
Fire update
21 October 2009
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Premier Anna Bligh visits Rockhampton and Bundaberg to inspect fire damage and talk to locals.
This morning I visited Rockhampton and Bundaberg where I inspected fire damage and talked to locals.
Some homes came very close to being engulfed by flames, but incredibly none were lost.
Firefighters on the ground have told me they've never seen anything quite like the fires they've seen this week.
They have done a truly magnificent job in these extreme conditions.
